Architects from around the globe present visions for the QueensWay

The Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) committee of the AIA New York Chapter announced the winner of its 2014 biennial design ideas competition, QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm. This entry, titled The Queensway Steps, grabbed first prize. It was submitted by Carrie Wilbert of France. (PHOTO CREDIT: Carrie Wilbert)

Hyuntek Yoon has only visited the QueensWay once.

But that didn't prevent him from conjuring up a striking design for its proposed entryway.

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Yoon's design, "Upside Down Bridge," was the sole New York submission among five recognized by the Emerging New York Architects in its biennial design ideas competition.

"The one thing I did learn from the site was that it needed something to catalyze the local community," said Yoon, an architectural designer from Long Island City who was named among winners hailing from as far as Paris and Switzerland.

The Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) committee of the AIA New York Chapter announced the winner of its 2014 biennial design ideas competition, QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm. This entry called EBB & Flow by Jessica Shoemaker of Albuquerque, New Mexico was recognized with the $1000 student prize.

Entrants focused on the QueensWay, a 3.5-mile stretch of abandoned rail line that runs from Rego Park to Ozone Park. Advocates are pushing to transform the tracks into a High Line-like park.

The competition tasked designers and architects with conceiving an entrance from the street to the old elevated Ozone Park station.

"There is no land adjacent to the railway at this site," said Sean Rasmussen, co-chairman of the ENYA committee at the American Institute of Architects. "This is the toughest scenario, to find a gracious entryway into the QueensWay."

The Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) committee of the AIA New York Chapter announced the winner of its 2014 biennial design ideas competition, QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm. This design titled UpsideDown Bridge by Queens resident Hyuntek Yoon received an honorable mention in the contest. (PHOTO CREDIT: Hyuntek Yoon)

Yoon said his upside-down bridge would create a "smooth transition from the ground to the railway." He envisioned a plaza and "Kitchen Garden" that would allow urban farming.

The top prize went to Carrie Wilbert, of France, whose design was titled "The Queensway Steps."

Swiss designer Nikolay Martynov took second prize with his eye-catching "Queens Billboard," a structure that includes walkways and ramps and is modeled after iconic New York City billboards such as the Pepsi Cola sign in Long Island City. Merchants could set up shop underneath.

The Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) committee of the AIA New York Chapter announced the winner of its 2014 biennial design ideas competition, QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm. This entry, titled Queens Billboard, won the second place prize. It was designed by Nikolay Martynov of Switzerland.

"These are just ideas in very early stages," said Rasmussen. "Our hope is that some of these ideas can help in the future planning of the overall QueensWay project."

Even in its conceptual stages, the project has sparked dissenion between the residents who favor it and those who would prefer to see the tracks used for the restoration of the old Rockaway Beach Branch. Others have said they want nothing at all.

Friends of the QueensWay, a group of supporters, said it was dazzled by the concepts, culled from about 120 entries.

"It's incredible to see inspiration drawn from around the world in conceptualizing innovative ideas that showcase The QueensWay's potential to revitalize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life," the group said in a statement.